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Umpire bashing reignites safety debate

TIM PALMER: A national shortage of umpires isn't likely to be helped by the latest instance of abuse against an Australian Rules official.

A spectator at a country South Australian football game has gone to jail for king-hitting an umpire during a grand final last year.

The AFL says it's an all-too-common occurrence and attitudes need to change.

As Joe Sullivan reports

(Sound of football commentary)

JOE SULLIVAN: For Paul Fitzgerald, this was the moment he decided to walk away from more than 25-years officiating community football.

COMMENTATOR I: Souths are still in their huddle at the moment but we've had a major influence like one of the crowds come and king hit the - one of the field umpires.

COMMENTATOR II: The umpire coming off now, umpire Fitzgerald and again you don't wanna dwell on it but you know, it makes you not wonder why they have a shortage of umpires when stuff like that happens. I'm absolutely in shock over that.

JOE SULLIVAN: During the three quarter time break of the Spencer Gulf League Grand Final, the 56-year-old was punched in the face in an unprovoked attack.

PAUL FITZGERALD: I can't, well I won't go back to umpiring because I don't feel safe. But at the moment I can't run because when I run the soreness in me cheekbone or me eye socket becomes probably a five to six out of 10 ache.

JOE SULLIVAN: Today Mr Fitzgerald underwent a second round of surgery for the fractured eye-socket and nose and a cut on his right eye he suffered in the assault. His attacker, 36-year-old Jeffrey John Hunter, of Port Pirie was sentenced to seven months in jail yesterday.

Paul Fitzgerald hopes the jail sentence handed to his attacker will deter others.

PAUL FITZGERALD: I don't think we want anyone to go to jail but what this is, I feel, will be a deterrent to anyone else that wants to, or thinks of doing this sort of thing to any umpire. Not just a football umpire, but any umpire, referee, umpire, anything.

JOE SULLIVAN: While banter between umpires with players and spectators is common, the physical violence has shocked the local League. The president of the Spencer Gulf League Ken McLean:

KEN MCLEAN: Speaking to the general football public, they're quite amazed that it happened at any rate because in over 100 years of football, it's the first time we've had an incident of this magnitude, and people are generally deplored about the fact that it's happened, in fact shocked.

JOE SULLIVAN: That shock has spread around the country. The AFL's national umpires manager Jeff Gieschen says abuse directed at umpires is too common.

JEFF GIESCHEN: Sadly in the role that I have now, you know, I hear stories not totally similar to Paul's, but I hear stories on a weekly basis of how young umpires sometimes young female umpires are intimidated or abused to the point where you know, they've broken down in tears or didn't want to go back out on the ground. And quite clearly we've got to stop that.

JOE SULLIVAN: This weekend the AFL is running campaign called 'Umpiring is Everyone's Business'.

It's designed to change the attitudes of fans and players and develop a safer environment which attracts much-needed numbers to the role.

JEFF GIESCHEN: Across Australia nationally, every weekend, we need about 19,000 umpires to fill all of the appointments everywhere. Unfortunately we've only got about 11,000 accredited umpires so as you can see from that there's an 8,000 shortfall."

JEFF GIESCHEN: We say the most influential people at clubs are the senior coach and you know, the president of the club or senior officials at the club and your senior players.

Now if your senior coach has a healthy attitude towards umpiring and doesn't let you know, what the umpire do get inside his head where he's creating issues with his players towards umpires, that makes life better straight away.

JOE SULLIVAN: This weekend, those attitudes will be challenged from the top with umpires entering into coaches and commentary boxes.